J-Mac Owns Reds

     James McDonald continued his dominance allowing only six baserunners in eight shutout innings as the Buccos make it back to the .500 mark. 
    
    J-Mac encountered some trouble in the third and fifth innings with runners on first and second and no out. He would, both times, get the next three batters to exit the innings unscathed. He seemed ready to go back out in the ninth, but Manager Clint Hurdle decided to end the day for McDonald after 103 pitches. Tony Watson would start the ninth and give up the only run for the Reds with a Chris Heisey two out single. Hurdle would then turn to Hanrahan to get the final out and an extremely easy save for The Hammer.

     The offense would again be paced by the bats of Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Jones, and Neil Walker. Alvarez would get the scoring with an RBI double in the first scoring Walker. Jones would follow with an RBI single to make it 2-0 after one. They would get another in the second by way of a Neil Walker double. The Barge would end the scoring with a two out single scoring Pedro after he led off the inning with a double. It's not the numbers the Buccos had in the series finale against the Cubs but it's enough to get the W.

                                                                      Starters Lines
     McDonald: (W,4-2) 8 IN, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K's
     Arroyo: (L, 2-3) 4 IN, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (McDonald)

                                                                      Turning Point
     Reds failed bunt attempt in the third - With runners on first and second, Drew Stubbs laid down a bunt. The bunt was a terrible one and J-Mac was able to get the lead runner at third. They would not score in the inning.

                                                                Stud/Dud of the Game
     Stud: James McDonald - Dropped his ERA to 2.20 after the eight shutout innings. He has not allowed more than three earned runs in a game this season.

     Dud: Clint Barmes - 0-4, 4 LOB.

                                                                      Final Thoughts
-- The last two games Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones are a combined 6-15 (.400) with 2 HR, 3 2B, 8 RBI's, and 4 Runs.

-- Clint Barmes and Casey McGehee are the only regular players to have an AVG under .200. Next lowest is Pedro. (.215 AVG)

-- The Pirates record stands at 24-24 after 48 games. Last year their record stood at 22-26 at this time. A surprising record after you look at the offensive output.

                                                                      This Day in '92
                                                 The Buccos were off. (24-21, 2nd Place 1 1/2 Out)